About NORTH Link
NORTH Link is a regional partnership of industry, education and government established in 1995. NORTH Link aims to develop the North’s manufacturing sector and supply/value chain as traditional manufacturing is replaced by advanced manufacturing.
We are a business network and regional economic development advocacy group representing Melbourne’s northern region comprising the cities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Whittlesea and the Shires of Mitchell and Nillumbik.
Our aims are to ensure that Melbourne’s north achieves sustainable GDP growth at least equal to that of the rest of Melbourne and Australia.
NORTH Link was established to provide:
- Sustainable regional economic growth and employment
- Regional advocacy for infrastructure and investment attraction
- Regional marketing and promotional materials and activities
- Regional economic and industry research
- Assistance to industry to improve business productivity and exporting capability
Melbourne’s north is characterised by a high degree of co-operation even between the many competing organisations and sectors.
Regional stakeholders appreciate that co-operation and association can provide increased for benefits for all. That the sum is greater than the individual parts. NORTH Link provides a forum for co-operation to take place and to identify and undertake mutually beneficial activities on behalf of regional stakeholders.
There are many examples and testaments to activities where the region has successfully supported other regional stakeholders and organisations eg:
- the re-location of the Melbourne Wholesale Market to Epping
- the establishment of the AgriBio Sciences Centre at La Trobe
- the establishment of an Aviation Training Academy at Melbourne Airport
- the publication of regional research such as “Melbourne’s North; the new knowledge economy”
- presentation of “Export Expos” highlighting the export achievement of businesses in Melbourne’s north
- the presentation of the Northern Business Achievement Awards (NBAA) to recognise regional business excellence
- and others
NIETL (Northern Industry Education and Training Link) preceded NORTH Link and was established in 1987 in response to the tariff reductions and restructure of the Australian economy which would impact severely on an industrialised region such as Melbourne’s North.
In 1997 NIETL merged with NORTH Link. Today we are known solely as NORTH Link.
If you would like to receive invitations to our events, or if you have any questions, please send us your contact details on the Contact Us page.